Community Effort Needed to Fight Flu

Faced with a shortage of flu vaccine this year, partners in Greene County have pulled together to provide vaccinations to those in the community who are most at high-risk.

Area physicians will be offering a limited number of vaccinations. Check with your health care provider to find out if you can be vaccinated in the office.

Women who will be pregnant during the flu season and parents of children age 6-23 months or children with chronic medical conditions should contact their health care provider for a vaccination.

Community vaccination clinics will offer flu vaccinations to the following high-risk groups.

• Adults aged 65 and older
• Adults with underlying chronic medical conditions

Due to the limited supply of vaccine, 400 doses will be offered at each clinic on a first come, first served basis. On arrival, individuals will be given a number. Once 400 numbers have been distributed, remaining individuals will be asked to come back to the next clinic. The clinic schedule is as follows.

DATE TIME LOCATION

• Oct 11 7:00 am Cox North (Fountain Plaza Room) 1423 N. Jefferson, Springfield
• Oct 12 7:00 am Salvation Army Community Center 1707 W. Chestnut Expressway, Springfield
• Oct 13 7:00 am St. Agnes Elementary School 533 S. Jefferson, Springfield
• Oct 14 7:00 am St. John's School of Nursing and Health Sciences Southwest Baptist University (auditorium) 4431 S. Fremont, Springfield
• Oct 15 7:00 am North Town Mall 1923 E. Kearney, Springfield (west entrance by the food court)

Vaccine for the Community High Risk Flu Shot Clinics is offered in partnership with Doctors Hospital, CoxHealth, St. John's Regional Health Center, Greene County Medical Society and the Springfield-Greene County Health Department.

Each year in the United States 5-20% of the population get the flu. Most of them recover within two weeks. Those who are at high risk for serious flu complications are the elderly, young children and the chronically ill.

More than ever this year, we all need to work together to protect the health of our community. Join us in the fight against flu by following these guidelines.

• Allow flu vaccinations to go to individuals in our community who need them most.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze or cough.
• Avoid large crowds and close contact with others who may be ill.
• Stay home if you are ill.
• Eat healthy foods and get plenty of rest.
• If you begin to develop symptoms such as a fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose or muscle aches, contact your health care provider. A prescription for an antiviral may lessen the severity of your illness.

For more information, contact:
Jaci McReynolds (417) 874-1205

###